architrave or epistyle
The lowest part of an entablature resting on the columns capitals and supporting the frieze.

caldarium
Derivative of the Latin verb caleo (= warm up). It is the strongly heated room of Roman baths. Its hot plunge pool was used to take not only a hot bath but also a steam bath due to high levels of humidity. It was also called the "inner room".

entablature, the
The upper part of the classical order, that rests on the columns, it consists of the architrave, frieze and cornice.

frigidarium
A large cold pool to drop into after enjoying a hot Roman bath (from frigeo). Normally frigidarium has used after a visit to warm rooms (caldarium) or after a training in palaistra. As the largest room in the thermae and often functioned as a hall for social events or communication

himation, the
Rectangular woolen (mainly) cloth that was worn over the chiton (cloak). It could be wrapped around the shoulders and the body in different ways and was fastened with a belt or with brooches.

hypocaust, the
the main system for the heating of ancient baths. The word means literally a “furnace that burns underneath”. With this system the room’s floor was supported by small poles and the space underneath the floor was heated by the circulation of hot air, while the heat was transferred through the walls by conductors.

isodomic masonry (opus quadratum)
A type of masonry in which blocks of equal length and thickness are laid in courses, with each vertical joint centered on the block below.

mortar, the
Liquidised paste consisting of soil, water, sand or marble. It is used as binding material between rocks or plinths. Thus, it assures stability and protection of mansory.

niche
Semi-circular recess on the surface of the wall.

opus incertum
Masonry style where small, irregular stones are used for the wall's facade mixed with plaster.

palaestra
A colonnaded enclosure for athletic exercise. The palaestra functioned both independently and as a part of the Greek gymnasium. It was formed as an open court surrounded by colonnades with adjoining rooms.

pedestal
Base on which stands a bust, a stele or a statue.

peristyle
A colonnade surrounding a building or a courtyard .

propylon
Monumental architectural entrance, most often to a sanctuary or a building complex.

stoa, portico, the
A long building with a roof supported by one or two colonnades parallel to its back wall.

tepidarium
The word is derived from the verb tepeo meaning ‘to be tepid’. It is the room of tepid water in the Roman thermae. It was also called middle house or tepid house and was usually situated between the caldarium and the frigidarium. Its main function was the acclimatization of the bather to the change of temperature. Being at the Tepidarium the visitor could also apply ointments on his/her body before or after the hot bath, although, there was a special room for this function called unctorium.

terminus ante quem (lat.)
Technicality of historical studies for expressing the chonological line, before which an event took place.